India, Feb. 1 -- The BJP-led NDA government is set to tighten its grip on the Rajya Sabha this year by taking its tally to at least 137 seats (including nominated members) while the Opposition and fence-sitters are set to lose seats. The ruling NDA already sits comfortably above the majority mark of 123 in the 245-member Upper House.

A total of 72 lawmakers will complete their Rajya Sabha terms in March, April, June, July and November this year. They include nominated member and former chief justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who retires in March.

The ruling NDA held 42 of these seats. After elections to these 71 seats (barring the nominated one), the NDA's tally will likely increase to at least 46 seats. The Congress-led INDIA bloc, which ...